Fergie's old boys warning

Scholes and Giggs set for reduced roles next term

Last updated: 24th May 2008

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Changing of the guard

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Sir Alex Ferguson concedes he will use Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes more sparingly next season.

While other managers would perhaps bask over what has been a glorious campaign, Ferguson is refusing to rest on his laurels and is already plotting Manchester United's dominance of next season.

Key to United's success over the past decade has been the seamless transitional periods that have seen older players phased out in favour of a new generation.

Giggs added Sir Bobby Charlton's appearance record to an illustrious CV that already has him as the club's most decorated player, while Scholes' appearance in Wednesday night's UEFA Champions League final finally banished the disappointment of missing out against Bayern Munich in 1999.

That said, while the pair are revered at Old Trafford, Ferguson is nothing if not ruthless and has warned the veteran duo that they will only appear regularly next season if their performance levels merit selection.

Age issues

"Yes, we have some age issues with Giggs (34) and Scholes (33) obviously," said Ferguson.

"My hopes is in the next few years they will play around 25-30 games apiece, but that depends on performance levels.

"I wouldn't put barriers against them continuing in the way they have done because they both conduct their lives in the right fashion.

"Injury-wise Paul has had injuries of a more serious nature than Ryan.

"I think Ryan because of his physique - he's different from Paul in the sense that he's such a slim lad - could really play until he is 38, and it would be here."